Should AI-generated search summaries replace traditional search?

AI-generated search summaries, which provide quick answers at the top of search results, are becoming a common feature in online searches. According to a recent survey by YouGov Surveys: Serviced, 67% of people notice these summaries “sometimes or often,” and 38% actually read them in half or more of their searches. However, their popularity varies based on age, gender, and location, with younger, male, and urban users being their most enthusiastic users.

Young, urban men lead the way with AI-search summaries

Younger generations are the biggest users of AI search summaries. About 59% of Gen Z (born 1997–2012) and 56% of Millennials (1981–1996) use them in at least half of their searches. That number drops to 32% for Gen X (1965–1980), 17% for Baby Boomers (1946–1964), and just 3% for those born before 1945.

Men also use AI-generated summaries more than women - 43% of men say they use them in at least half of their searches, compared to 34% of women.

There are also differences by location. In cities, 45% of people use AI summaries in at least half of their searches, compared to 37% of suburban residents and only 30% of those in rural areas. When combining these factors, 66% of young men in cities frequently use AI summaries, while only 19% of women aged Gen X or older do the same.

As many ignore the summary as read it

People interact with AI search summaries in different ways. About 38% read the summary, but a nearly equal share (36%) skip it and go straight to the traditional search results.

Some users (24%) compare the summary to the links below it, while 17% check the sources that the AI used. These numbers suggest that while AI summaries are gaining traction, many people still prefer to verify information themselves.

How useful and trustworthy are AI-gen search summaries?

When asked how useful these summaries are, 52% of people say they are at least somewhat helpful. Younger people are the most positive - 74% of Gen Z and 66% of Millennials find them useful - while only 31% of Baby Boomers agree. Trust in AI summaries is more mixed.

AI summaries pull information from traditional search results, yet users do not believe they are equally trustworthy. Only around one in five say that AI summaries are more trustworthy than traditional search results. This belief is strongest among Gen Z (31%) and Millennials (29%). On the other hand, 33% of people say AI summaries are less trustworthy, especially among older generations.

Views also vary by location - 30% of urban residents say AI summaries are more trustworthy than traditional search results. Suburban (13%) and rural users (8%) are more skeptical.

Should AI-summaries become the default mode of presenting search results?

While many Americans find AI search summaries useful, most don’t think they’re ready to replace regular search results (unless you ask young urban men). Only 21% believe AI-generated summaries should be the default way search engines present findings; this number jumps to 51% among young men living in cities.

In summary, AI-generated search summaries are gaining popularity, particularly among younger, male, and urban users who find them useful and, in some cases, more trustworthy than traditional results. However, many users, especially older and rural Americans, remain skeptical. As AI continues to shape how people search for information, addressing concerns about trust and accuracy will be key to broader adoption.

Methodology: This YouGov Surveys: Serviced study was conducted online on February 27, 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 1,167 US adults (aged 18+). The survey was designed by YouGov, and the data has been weighted by age, race, gender, education, and region to reflect the latest population estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.